Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.

CITGO LOCATION WAS EARLY AUTO SALES SITE

Albion Recorder, June 23, 1997, pg. 4

The recent demolition of the Citgo service station and the erection
of a new one behind it on the corner of Michigan Avenue and North
Superior Street reminds us that several buildings have been located at
this strategic site during the 20th century, all of them related to the
automobile industry.

One of Albion’s earliest automobile repair garages was opened
in 1909 by Charles Groff and William Forman on Michigan Avenue. The
following year it was purchased by Arthur G. Noble and his
brother-in-law Harry Richards, Sr., and renamed the Albion Garage Sales
Agency. A large brick building was erected on the corner at 302 N.
Superior St. and opened in June, 1910.

Noble sold his interest in the firm to Richards in 1918 and
started his own garage at 110-112 E. Michigan Avenue the following
year. The Albion Garage Sales specialized in Overland automobiles, and
the name was changed to Albion Motor Sales in 1921. Eventually the firm
switched to Ford, and then moved across the street to 110 E. Michigan
Avenue in the 1930s. It was known locally as the “Ford Garage.”

In 1935, the original Albion Motor Sales building on the corner
of Michigan/Superior was demolished. A “High-Speed Service Station” was
erected in its place, and was operated by Maurice Culyer. At this time
the address was changed to 101 E. Michigan Avenue. During the 1950s and
1960s it was known as the Pure Oil Company gas station. That station
was demolished at a Checker Oil Service Station was erected on the
site. That, too, has been demolished. A Standard gas station was
located next door at 111 E. Michigan Avenue for many years, and that
building was recently demolished by the Folk Oil Company, which has
just erected its new station on that site. It is interesting to know
that Citgo has three address numbers it could choose from.

This week we present an interesting photograph of the Albion
Garage Sales Agency during the 1920s displaying over a dozen Overland
autos parked on the street in front of the showroom on the corner of
Michigan Avenue and North Superior Street (across from the Post
Office). To the left is the Sebastian Monument Company building. Both
buildings of course are now long gone. But with the erection of yet
another service station on the site, it is interesting to study this
photograph in an historical context. How many of our readers remember
these buildings?

If you've enjoyed learning about Albion history from this site, please write us a note in the Albion
Guestbook.
We hope you will take the time to share your interest and stories related to Albion history,
especially if you have any ancestors from Albion, please let us know.

Albion Design and Carlson Craft have worked together to offer an amazing selection of wedding invitations online. From invites, to rsvps, gifts and more, Carlson Craft has an outstanding 60 year history of creating wedding stationery packages designed to the personal tastes of each bride and groom. With their easy online ordering service and quick turn around, you will appreciate the ease of ordering and the prices also! You can order a sample card of any invitation to see the quality, and proof the wording of the invitations online.
View wedding invitations online: Design.carlsoncraft.com